On October 6-8, 2023, The Caverns presented the second annual CaveFest, featuring a grand-slam, line-up of music over three days with camping, open underground jam sessions, cave tours, food trucks, local vendors and more. CaveFest brought in Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Peter Rowan, The Travelin’ McCourys, Jim Lauderdale, Town Mountain, The Lil Smokies, Lindsay Lou, Sam Grisman Project: Plays Garcia/Grisman’s Shady Grove Album, Jon Stickley Trio, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Larry Keel Experience, The HillBenders: Play WhoGrass, Sicard Hollow, Big Richard, Fireside Collective, Airshow, Two Runner, Pert Near Sandstone, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys, Volunteer String Band, Off The Wagon, Three Tall Pines, Johnny Campbell Band, Big Daddy Love, Tree of Forgiveness – A Tribute to John Prine, Hudost, and Wyatt Ellis & Friends.

Lindsay Lou, the “Queen of CaveFest” returned as one of CaveFest artist-in-residence, who with a dedicated performance slot, she could be found sitting in with others all weekend creating memorable collaborations and magical CaveFest moments.

Decked out in his Nashville Predators “Fiddler” hockey jersey, Sam Bush was the last headliner on The Caverns Amphitheater stage. His “business as usual”set had everyone in the full get down. A recent addition into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Sam Bush continues to crush audiences with his mando and fiddle stylings.

Sam Bush at Cave Fest 2023: photo by John Partipilo PhotographyIt’s well known in learned circles that Jenny Keel plays her bass at 528 Hz. “Why does this matter wrangler?”, you may ask. The “love frequency,” is a sound identified by Gregorian monks as part of a set of frequencies heralded for their healing properties. It is also used as a timeless tool by sirens to lure and enslave helpless men. Thank you Jenny Keel, you cannot enslave the willing.

It lurks under the risers. Watch out for stagehands smoking lids under the stage. You think Chris Hollywood is going to carry his own bongo? Sir. Sir. That’s gonna be a hard no. The drummer for Sam Grisman Project is always ready to lay it all the way down in the name of strong science. Look for them at Gem & Jam in February. Hook, hook. Dunk, dunk.

You think you know some wooks? Follow the troglodytes as they take over the festival circuit. #troglife. That’s right, the Fallout Shelter is bringing you a Hobo Kamp experience even more pathetic than representing yourself in divorce court. You already know.

Thanks to Louis Norton for covering CaveFest for the wook wranglers. Thanks to Jenny Lawrence of Danging Lemur Photography for the Big Daddy Love photograph. Brian Swenk is so photogenic.

Thanks for making the wook wranglers your number one source for all things festivaus. Stay with the fam as we hustle through Rome River Jam on our way to Suwannee Hulaween and the oroboros of eternal pleasure. After that, it’s Warren Haynes Presents: Christmas Jam  en route to Resonate and beyond. All roads converge on Ka’aoli and the convergence in Austin, Texas. Maybe the old gypsy woman was correct. This is happening. You’ve found your way to the bus.

Get in, sit down and hold on.

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CaveFest was a dream come true last year, an ideal festival featuring favorite bands in the best autumn weather in the perfect place. Glad this dream is recurring and we’re excited to see the event grow to three days in 2023!” says The Caverns owner Todd Mayo.

Find your way to the CaveFest homepage and the direct ticket link.

In its first year, CaveFest sold out with guests in attendance from every one of the lower 48 states. The festival will take full advantage of what The Caverns has to offer above and below ground. The Caverns Amphitheater, with its spacious area for chairs and dancing, will host the headlining performances while providing breathtaking views of the majestic Cumberland Plateau. The Caverns world-famous underground concert hall will function as a 2nd stage hosting additional performances, daily open jam sessions, and cave yoga.

Naturally, CaveFest will also feature cave tours and subterranean adventures, providing guests with the opportunity to delve deep and discover what lies beneath the Earth’s surface. The Caverns will present hour-long walking tours through the otherworldly Big Room Cave, where the enthralling history of the region, cave geology and mythology intertwine. Those seeking an adrenaline rush can opt for an Adventure Cave Tour that will take them beyond “Tombstone Pass” to witness an underground river, soda straw formations, and other fascinating sights.

The line-up for CaveFest includes: Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Peter Rowan, The Travelin’ McCourys, Jim Lauderdale, Town Mountain, The Lil Smokies, Sam Grisman Project: Plays Garcia/Grisman’s Shady Grove Album, Jon Stickley Trio, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Larry Keel Experience, Lindsay Lou, The HillBenders: Play WhoGrass, Sicard Hollow, Big Richard, Fireside Collective, Airshow, Two Runner, Pert Near Sandstone, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys, Volunteer String Band, Off The Wagon, Three Tall Pines, Johnny Campbell Band, Hudost, and Wyatt Ellis & Friends.

Lindsay Lou, dubbed by fans the “Queen of CaveFest” in the festival’s inaugural year, will return as one of CaveFest artist-in-residence. As artist-in-residence, in addition to a dedicated performance slot, Lindsay Lou will be found sitting in with others all weekend long creating memorable collaborations and magical CaveFest moments.
Starting at $129, early bird 3-day tickets for CaveFest, which include camping, go on sale on Wednesday, March 15th at 12p CT at TheCaverns.com. Kids 12 and under are free. RV guests can add a $99 pass for an RV campsite (hook-ups not available).

CaveFest also offers a variety of VIP packages for those looking to upgrade their experience on any budget. VIP experiences start as low as $549 with perks like a premium campsite location, access to a VIP viewing area, access to a VIP lounge tent with delicious local catering, all day complimentary refreshments and snacks, open bar service in the evenings, and much more. For guests looking for a more luxurious experience, The Caverns offers onsite accommodations in its new climate-controlled Yurt Village with a VIP Yurt Package for two, which start at $1,972 and include access to VIP viewing and the VIP lounge tent, and more. Lastly, guests can opt for the comforts of a local lodge with The Caverns popular Stay & Cave packages for two for $1,910 which provide lodging in nearby Monteagle, shuttle transportation to and from the venue, VIP lounge tent access, merch and more.

$1 from every CaveFest ticket will go to the Sewanee Mountain Grotto to support cave conservation efforts.

Located in Grundy County, Tennessee, The Caverns is a world-renowned destination known for live music in beautiful natural settings, the Emmy-winning PBS television series The Caverns Sessions, and a magical cave system for different skill levels of exploration. Inside The Caverns subterranean venue, guests to “The Greatest Show Under Earth” revel in the prehistoric venue’s natural acoustics and otherworldly beauty. The outdoor amphitheater sits at the foot of the Cumberland Plateau with the rolling Tennessee hills as a backdrop. Whether underground or above ground, live music at The Caverns is a bucket list experience that keeps fans coming back time and again. On-site camping available after most shows. Daily guided walking tours and adventure cave tours of The Caverns cave system offered 7 days a week.

Now you know. And knowing is half the battle.

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